Shell, Nigeria blamed for oil pollution clean-up failure

Shell Cawtharine channels at Awoba in the Niger Delta on March 22nd, 2013. Photograph: Getty

The “systemic failure” of the Nigerian government and oil giant Shell to clean up the widespread oil pollution in the Niger Delta has been branded “shameful” by a group of environmental and human rights organisations.

In a major report, Amnesty International, Friends of the Earth and others expose the continuing lack of action by Shell and the Nigerian government to clean up pollution in Ogoniland, despite recommendations made by the UN Environment Programme three years ago.

Paul de Clerk, of Friends of the Earth Europe, said despite the numbers of people affected Shell is still more concerned with protecting itself.